The mayoral and city council election is rapidly approaching, and for the City of Adel there is a very captivating race taking shape.

The ballot for Mayor of Adel includes the incumbent Jim Peters, who has been mayor for 26 years and served on the council before that. It also includes the 19-year-old challenger Carter Nordman, who is only six months removed from his high school graduation. The juxtaposition of experience versus change has created a divisive race in the City and it’s truly anyone’s guess who holds the advantage.

The incumbent Peters was born and raised in Adel, though spent time away from the City before returning in 1985. Shortly after, he began his career in public service. He says the reason he’s running for mayor now is the same as when he ran originally, which is a love for Adel. If he’s reelected, Peters says he’d like to focus on securing Adel’s eastern border from the rapid encroachment of the City of Waukee. “We did sign a moratorium agreement with Waukee about 10 years ago, which will be expiring in about three-and-a-half years. And so it’s imperative that we address this to protect our border. So the best thing to do would be to extend that moratorium agreement out another five or ten years.”

Nordman is also an Adel native, and is a 2017 graduate of Adel-DeSoto-Minburn High School. He decided to run for mayor because he’s always had an interest in politics, and feels there is such a thing as being in an office for too long, regardless of the level of government. Additionally, he believes he will be able to bridge the growing divide he perceives in the City. His focus if elected will be on reevaluating the connection between the government and citizens. “My number one priority is going to be getting the public to re-trust the city government. And I think that is very important, especially when making major decisions like tax abatements, or water treatment facilities, or really anything to that matter.”

Election Day will be this Tuesday, and the polling location for Adel voters is the Public Library. To learn more about the two candidates for mayor, as well as the four candidates for the two at-large council seats, listen to the “Meet the Candidates of Dallas County” program, which can be found on demand at RaccoonValleyRadio.com.